• Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens - The Shin-Kobe Ropeway is one of three services that transport visitors up the southern slopes of the Rokko mountain range. Departing from beside Shin-Kobe Station, Kobe’s shinkansen station, the ropeway offers a scenic ascent, passing the Nunobiki Waterfall and the Nunobiki Herb Garden, providing a delightful aerial view of both. The ride’s highlight is the observation deck near the top station, offering breathtaking views of Kobe and serving as a popular spot for night views. Alternatively, visitors can hike from Shin-Kobe Station to the top station. Surprisingly, just a few steps north of the station, one can find forests shielded from the city’s hustle. A 15-20 minute hike through the woods leads to the 43-meter-tall Nunobiki Waterfall, named for its draped cloth-like appearance.

• Kobe Harborland - Kobe Harborland is a vibrant shopping and entertainment district located between JR Kobe Station and the waterfront of Kobe’s port area. The district boasts a wide array of shops, restaurants, cafes, and other amusements, creating a romantic evening atmosphere that attracts couples and tourists alike. The most notable shopping complex in Kobe Harborland is Umie, which comprises three sections: Mosaic, South Mall, and North Mall. Mosaic stretches along the waterfront, offering a diverse selection of restaurants, many with views of Kobe Port Tower and the Kobe Maritime Museum across the water, which are particularly stunning when illuminated at night. At Mosaic’s southern end, a Ferris wheel and the Anpanman Museum, dedicated to the popular manga and anime series about the bread-headed superhero, can be found. The South Mall and North Mall are enclosed shopping centers featuring a department store and various smaller shops. Additional shopping and dining options are available in the district’s other buildings, connected by a network of underground and surface walking paths, promenades, and a waterfront boardwalk. One of the main streets, Gaslight Street, is illuminated in the evenings by vintage gas street lamps and electric lights. Other attractions include the Renga Soko, a small collection of 19th-century brick warehouses from a former dockyard, now renovated and housing a restaurant, shops, and an event space. Additionally, the Manyo Club hot spring is located on the top floors of the district’s Puromena skyscraper, offering 24-hour access and beautiful city views from some of its baths.

• Kitano Ijinkan-gai - Kitano-cho is a city district at the base of the Rokko mountain range, where many foreign merchants and diplomats settled after the Port of Kobe opened to foreign trade in the late 19th century. Over a dozen of the former mansions, known as Ijinkan, remain and are open to the public as museums. Most houses charge an admission fee between 550 to 750 yen, with combination tickets available for multiple houses. The district is pleasant to explore, offering a variety of cafes, restaurants, and boutiques, making it a favorite among young Japanese couples.

• Chinatown (Nankinmachi) - Nankinmachi is a compact Chinatown in central Kobe and a hub for the Chinese community in the Kansai Region. Developed by Chinese merchants who settled near Kobe Port after it opened to foreign trade in 1868, the area became known as Nankinmachi after Nanjing, the former Chinese capital. Nankinmachi is a popular tourist destination and a shopping and dining district. Two main streets intersect at a small plaza in the center, lined with shops, restaurants, and food stands selling popular items like steamed buns (manju), ramen, tapioca drinks, and various other Chinese dishes, many of which have been adapted to Japanese tastes.

• Arima Onsen - Arima Onsen is a renowned hot spring town within Kobe’s city limits, located on the opposite side of Mount Rokko from the city center. Nestled in a natural mountain setting, it is a convenient and popular day trip or weekend getaway for residents of Kobe and Osaka. Despite its modern appearance, Arima Onsen retains several narrow lanes and wooden buildings in its town center. The compact town is easily explored on foot, with several hot spring sources, charming temples and shrines, and a small hot spring museum (200 yen) to discover. With a history spanning over a thousand years, Arima Onsen is considered one of Japan’s oldest hot spring resorts and consistently ranks among the top onsen in Western Japan. The town features two types of hot spring waters: Kinsen (“gold water”), brown with iron deposits, is believed to benefit skin ailments and muscle pain, while the clear Ginsen (“silver water”), containing radium and carbonate, is said to alleviate various muscle and joint issues. Visitors can enjoy hot spring bathing at two public bathhouses or at the town’s many ryokan, some of which open their baths to non-staying guests during the day. Admission fees for day visits typically range from 500 to 2500 yen.

• Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum - Kobe’s Nada district is Japan’s leading sake-producing region, renowned for its high-quality rice, suitable water, and favorable weather conditions. Its proximity to Kobe Port and Osaka has historically facilitated distribution. Numerous sake breweries operate in the Nada district, which spans approximately three kilometers east to west. Some breweries open their stores and exhibition rooms to the public, allowing guests to taste their sake. A few also maintain museums that introduce the sake brewing process.

• Himeji Castle - Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himejijō), also known as White Heron Castle (Shirasagijo) for its graceful, white appearance, is widely regarded as Japan’s most spectacular castle due to its impressive size, beauty, and well-preserved, complex grounds. The castle is both a national treasure and a world heritage site. Unlike many other Japanese castles, it was never destroyed by war, earthquake, or fire and remains one of the country’s twelve original castles. The castle underwent extensive renovations over several years and was fully reopened to the public in 2015.

• Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, spanning nearly four kilometers, is the world’s longest suspension bridge. Opened in 1998, it crosses the Akashi Strait (Akashi Kaikyo) between Kobe and Awaji Island and is part of the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, one of three expressways connecting Honshu with Shikoku. The Bridge Exhibition Center at the Kobe side’s base provides well-presented information about the bridge’s planning and construction and other suspension bridges worldwide, although detailed explanations are available only in Japanese. The Maiko Marine Promenade features observatory hallways beneath the bridge’s platform, about 50 meters above the water. Accessible by elevator from the bridge’s base (Kobe side), the hallways offer fascinating views of the bridge’s interior, the Akashi Strait, and Osaka Bay.

• Private English guide

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Private transportation

The Private VIP Tour in Kobe offers the opportunity to “Customize Your Itinerary” to align with your unique travel preferences.

Enjoy the services of a private English-speaking guide for around 8 hours.

Our team is here to help manage your tour, provide recommendations, make reservations, and verify information.

STEP 1: We present a list of popular destinations while you share your travel interests and any special requests.

STEP 2: Through careful communication and planning, we collaborate to create a detailed draft itinerary.

STEP 3: We revise and finalize the itinerary.

*You have the flexibility to modify the itinerary even on the day of travel with our guide.

*Additional charges will apply for extended service hours.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.